Think the Grand Rapids Art Museum Is Just for Looking? Think Again

Your Family Friendly Guide to the Grand Rapids Art Museum

If your kids hear “art museum” and immediately picture shhhhhhh, don’t touch that, we have good news: the Grand Rapids Art Museum is not asking your family to quietly shuffle from painting to painting.

In fact, the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) has been making its galleries a whole lot more hands on, playful and approachable for families. There are plenty of ways for kids to explore, make, move and create while visiting.

As one of Grand Rapids’ best things to do, GRAM houses amazing works of art to enjoy year-round.

It boasts a stunningly beautiful interior, rotating exhibits, family programs, a creative learning center, and drop in studios.

Read on to find out why the GRAM might become your new go-to family outing in the city.

Every Floor Is For You

The Grand Rapids Art Museum isn’t interactive because it has just one or two hands-on exhibits. Every floor has hands-on, interactive fun.

Their focus is to get visitors to pause, slow down and engage with the art.

Art at the GRAM is less about skill and more about playing with big ideas and using it as a way of exploring creativity.

Start in the Creative Learning Center

The reimagined Creative Learning Center is basically an invitation to get your hands busy. Kids (and grown-ups, too) can build, experiment, wonder, make a little mess and just play around with art in a space designed to spark creativity.

Located off the lobby of the main level, it’s both a studio space and a discovery gallery. Visit often because it’s always full of creative activities.

In the Discovery Gallery, kids can build a mini sculpture inspired by public art or create their own “exhibition” with magnetic gallery walls and favorite works from GRAM’s collection.

They can also experiment with landscapes, perspective and color mixing, and try out different art techniques.

Drop in Studio

Drop-In Studio is offered every Saturday from 11 AM – 3 PM. This is a way to get those creative juices flowing by making your very own artwork.

Use a wide range of materials for open-ended exploration and play. 

Create a clay sculpture, paint with watercolors, make a textile wall hanging, or glue together a collage. 

GRAM always offers a fresh, new activity each week with all materials provided.

Lego Block Printing and Creativity Labs & Marigolds are some of the upcoming Studio sessions. Check out their full calendar here.

Drop in Studio is included with admission.

Where Is Everything?

It’s worth noting that the third floor houses GRAM’s permanent collections.

As the GRAM’s website explains, “From a trove of over 6,700 objects, GRAM’s curators refresh the Museum’s Level III galleries every quarter, presenting visitors with new works and old favorites to experience and enjoy.”

Indeed.

You’ll find everything from renaissance to contemporary paintings, as well as some amazing furniture pieces, sculptures, and other mediums, all of which fascinate kids and adults alike.

When you visit, you may notice small school groups of young kids learning about the different artwork: a testament to GRAM’s devotion to inspiring the next generation of creative thinkers!

Each season, GRAM brings in new and exciting exhibits and artwork to Grand Rapids.

The second floor is mostly devoted to these fascinating exhibits. A schedule of their current and upcoming exhibits can be found here.

Tips for Visiting the GRAM

1 – GRAM has Free Days

GRAM is completely FREE on Thursday evenings (5 – 8 PM)!

This means you can easily call it a day if your toddler starts having a meltdown mid-gallery, and you can also keep your trips as short and sweet as you’d like without feeling like you wasted money.

2 – GRAM is Accessible

GRAM has three floors of artwork, displayed in an airy, bright modern space. It’s stroller-friendly, with convenient, roomy elevators.

You can also leave your stroller parked to the immediate left of the front entrance, near the coat racks and welcome desk.

The museum is totally walkable for little legs and all the bathrooms are within convenient proximity (and have step stools near the sinks!).

There are ample benches and seats around for breaks, and every new corner displays something unique and gaze-worthy.

3- There are Lots of Parking Options

There are plenty of convenient, affordable parking options near the GRAM, including metered parking spaces and garages. (Click here for a printable map that shows the different parking structures nearby.)

When we went during the day, it was no problem finding a metered space right next to the museum. When we went in the evening, we parked at the garage at 99 Monroe.

4 – Nearby Food & Drinks

Because of the sensitive nature of the artwork, snacks and drinks (including water) are not permitted in the galleries.

When you and your kids are ready for a snack break, you can head to one of three areas:

• Front lobby: soft couches and low tables
• Front patio: faces Rosa Parks Circle so kids can run around and burn off some energy
• By the bar space: tables and chairs are located just down the hall from the welcome desk

Light food and refreshments are available for purchase at the front desk. On Thursday nights, the bar space is also open.

Know Before You Go

Location

101 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-831-1000
info@artmuseumgr.org
Website | Facebook

Hours

Mon & Tues: CLOSED
Wed & Fri: 12 – 5 PM
Thurs: 12 – 8 PM
Sat & Sun: 10 AM – 4 PM

Tickets

Adults: $15
Seniors & Students: $12
Youth (6 – 17): $8
Children (5 and under): Free
FREE on Thursday evenings 5 – 8 PM

Buy online or in person

The Big Picture

You don’t have to wait for a rainy day, a school project or a kid who has suddenly decided they’re “into art” to visit the GRAM.

Bring the curious kid, the kid who thinks museums are boring, and bring the one who wants to touch everything.

The Grand Rapids Art Museum is a place where families can pause, play, explore and create together. And maybe that’s the best way to think about an art museum with kids. You’re not there to teach them everything about art. You’re there to see what they discover.